Hudson moving around OK

2nd baseman's ankle "feels kind of funky"

Diamondbacks second baseman Orlando Hudson walked up the dugout steps and onto the field during batting practice Wednesday, and just seeing him walking gingerly was huge relief for manager Bob Melvin.

The previous night, Hudson had been hit by a pitch on the right ankle, fell to the ground in pain and needed help leaving the field.

"It was scary, right on that bone," Melvin said. "First thing you're thinking is potentially a crack or fracture, something along those lines. It's not, so that's the first piece of good news.

"The second piece of good news is he's not nearly as bad as I thought he'd be today. I thought that he'd have trouble walking, and he's moving around all right."

Hudson said he was available to pinch-hit Wednesday night, adding that had it been a must-win game he could have played but would not have been as mobile.

"It's sore as hell," he said. "It still feels kind of funky."

Big addition

For Jon Rauch, who pitched a scoreless inning in his Diamondbacks debut Tuesday night, the key for the 6-foot-11, 291-pound right-hander was just being a part of the game, Melvin said.

"I'm glad it wasn't a one-run game where you have to come in," Melvin said. "You want to settle in with your new team, and for the first time get on the field in front of our fans it was good that he could go out there in less of a pressure situation and let our fans see what he has to offer, and there's a lot of him to offer.

"So it was good that he could get into the game, and now he's part of the flow."

Melvin said Rauch's role probably will be setting up closer Brandon Lyon, with Tony Pena and Chad Qualls preceding Rauch, who was traded Tuesday from the Washington Nationals for infielder Emilio Bonifacio.

Jackson consistent

Conor Jackson, whose defense in left field keeps improving, has been a model of consistency for the Diamondbacks. Going into Wednesday night's game, he led the team with a .308 batting average and had 10 home runs and 51 RBIs, second only to Mark Reynolds.

"He and 'O' (Hudson) have been the most consistent guys for us the whole season," Melvin said. "Whether he's hitting second, whether he's hitting fourth, whether he's playing first, whether he's playing left, he's been a staple for us, a guy that really came into the season wanting to establish himself as a good major-league player.

"Every day, he has the same look in his eye, every day he has the same work ethic and preparation to keep this thing going, and he's been terrific for us."

Injury update

Right-handed reliever Juan Cruz, on the disabled list since July 6 because of a strained left oblique, is on course to be activated next week, when the Diamondbacks visit National League West rivals San Diego and Los Angeles.

Melvin said Cruz likely would pitch in two rehab assignments, with the first Friday, before being activated.